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There's a certain freedom to singleness. Who else could run out late at night for a quart of pistachio ice cream—no questions asked? Or drop everything and spend six weeks in Africa on a medical service project? Or wake up in the morning without the immediate worry about the whereabouts of five or six family members?

Many singles miss the love and responsibility that come with family. But some have adapted to what's missing and focus instead on the freedom that singleness offers. Paul spoke particularly about the freedom from worry that the single life offers. He had good reason to do so. Christians were already experiencing persecution—and much more persecution was to come. Christians would be hunted, tortured, and killed for their faith. Marriage brought greater cause for worry (and caution) than did singleness. Marriage limited what a person could do and bear for the cause of Christ. Besides, Paul pointed out that the Lord would soon come (7:29).

Paul couldn't know that "soon" was at least two thousand years away. But he did give us perspective on the temporariness of life. In the eternal perspective, neither marriage nor singleness is terribly important. Most important, as Paul said, is to live "for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction" (7:35). (See also Numbers 11; Nehemiah 4; 6:15, 16; Romans 14:1-12.)

Good Words to Remember:
I want you to be without care …. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. 1 Corinthians 7:32, 34

Today's Challenge:
Make a list of all the freedoms you have as a single.

Copyright © 2001 by the author or Christianity Today International/Christian Bible Studies.

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